Community Approaches On Countering Terrorism Activities In Mombasa County - Kenya

ABSTRACT

Terrorism has become a threat to the life of humanity in the entire world. Traditional Counter terrorism efforts have revealed the limits of military power since the efforts dispersed the threat and ideology into the community. Hence the importance of the communities in this war cannot be under estimated. This study, examined the Community approaches effectiveness in countering terrorism Mombasa County. The general objective for the study was to identify the community approaches used to counter terrorist activities in Kisauni Sub-county of Mombasa County. Specific objectives were to assess the evidence of community approaches to counter terrorist activities in Kisauni Sub-county of Mombasa County; examine the implementation of community approaches in countering terrorist activities in Kisauni Sub-county of Mombasa County. The third objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of using community approaches to countering terrorist activities in Kisauni Sub-county of Mombasa County. The study was guided by the Rational Choice theory and the Structural functionalism theory. Using the cross-sectional survey design, data was collected using questionnaires and interview guides. The study found out that terrorist activities were common in Kisauni especially public attacks and radicalization. Some of the factors contributing to the terrorist activities included Unemployment, poor planning and school dropout. Community policing, religious dialogues, public meetings and art and culture are not very effective in reducing terrorist activities. Some of the challenges facing the community approaches included: Fear of victimization, divergent religious beliefs, low participation of religious leaders in counter terrorism initiatives. The study recommends that local authorities to training and motivate the community policing agents as well as have well defined roles. Religious leaders to adopt an accommodative structure that will ensure unity and enhance religious dialogue. The government and local authorities to adapt a flexible way of engaging the community in public meetings especially on matters counter terrorism.